Випуск 15. Том 1

РОЗДІЛ 10 ЛІТЕРАТУРА ЗАРУБІЖНИХ КРАЇН

UDC 82-1; 82:801.6; 82-1/-9 DOI https://doi.org/10.32782/tps2663-4880/2021.15.44

THE INFLUENCE OF LOCAL LITERARY ENVIRONMENT TO THE MODERN POETRY AND PROSE OF THE MOUNTAIN JEWS ВПЛИВ МІСЦЕВОГО ЛІТЕРАТУРНОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА НА СУЧАСНУ ПОЕЗІЮ ТА ПРОЗУ ГІРСЬКИХ ЄВРЕЇВ

Alikhanova Ayna, orcid.org/0000-0001-9674-6584 Doctoral Student at the Literature Department National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi

Fiction is the most understandable, clear and beautiful – valuable example of cultural dialogue. In response to our centuries-old features of hospitality, kindness, humanism (ungrateful, sad, different from the Armenian character), mountain Jews responded with the same love and affection they always received from the local population in different parts of Azerbaijan. They also expressed these feelings in poetry and prose. The authors who study the culture, spiritual values, literature and poetry of Mountain Jews, of course, do it on the basis of historical periods and conditions. They also paid attention to the life and ethnography of Mountain Jews living in Azerbaijan. Ethnographer IS Anisimov, a mountain Jew by nationality, as a number of travelers and missionaries of the XIX century, said that the main factor in the preservation of Mountain Jews' existence was the preservation of “general jewish” traditions no matter how far away from their historical homeland, they show that they are reflected in literary-artistic examples. Indeed, as we study and read the examples of fiction created by Mountain Jews in different parts of Azerbaijan over the past centuries and before, it is impossible not to feel the “Jewish identity” that retains so many archaic features in the smallest piece of poetry. The history, language, literature, folklore, theater, dance, and music of Mountain Jews are extremely national in color, as well as a collection of works of art that have benefited from the local culture of ancient Azerbaijan, where they lived and had a close friendship and brotherhood relations. One of the main points in the study of the literature of mountain Jews living in Azerbaijan in the XX century is that the representatives of this talented people living in our country, regardless of their work or profession, have a high poetic spirit, artistic thinking, devotion to poetry and art, and often write poems in this spirit. It is rightly said that the greatest mission of a true poet and artist, as a believer, is to serve the development of friendship, communication, peace and mutual love between nations. Representatives of mountain Jews literature living in Azerbaijan turned to a great treasure to cope with this sacred mission with dignity, and managed to bring to the new generation of Jewish literature and poetry what they learned with love and respect from the rich, ancient literary school of the land they studied. In that life, people live freely and peacefully, without war, without any discrimination. Mountain Jews literature, which is a branch of modern Azerbaijani literature living in the second decade of the XXI century, also gives a wide place in its works to the motives corresponding to the existing historical conditions. Key words: Azerbaijan, mountain Jews, tolerant, modern, literature, poetry, prose, humanism, culture, friendship.

Художня література – це найбільш зрозумілий, цінний приклад культурного діалогу. У відповідь на наші багато- вікові риси гостинності, доброти, гуманізму (невдячного, сумного, відмінного від вірменського характеру) гірські євреї відповідали такою ж любов’ю та прихильністю, яку вони завжди отримували від місцевого населення в різних частинах Азербайджану. Вони також виражали ці почуття в поезії та прозі. Автори, які вивчають культуру, духовні цінності, літературу та поезію гірських євреїв, звичайно, роблять це на основі історичних періодів та умов. Вони також звернули увагу на життя та етнографію гірських євреїв, які прожи- вають в Азербайджані. Етнограф І.С. Анісімов, гірський єврей за національністю, як ряд мандрівників та місіонерів XIX століття, сказав, що головним фактором збереження існування гірських євреїв було збереження «загальноєв- рейських» традицій, незалежно від того, наскільки далеко від них свою історичну батьківщину, вони показують, що вони відображені на літературно-художніх прикладах. Дійсно, коли ми вивчаємо та читаємо приклади художньої літератури, створені гірськими євреями в різних частинах Азербайджану за минулі століття та раніше, неможливо не відчути «єврейської ідентичності», яка зберігає стільки архаїчних рис у найменшому вірші. Історія, мова, літе- ратура, фольклор, театр, танці та музика гірських євреїв надзвичайно національні за кольором, а також колекція творів мистецтва, які отримали користь від місцевої культури стародавнього Азербайджану, де вони жили та мали тісні дружні та братські стосунки. Одним із основних моментів у вивченні літератури гірських євреїв, які проживали в Азербайджані в XX столітті, є те, що представники цього талановитого народу, що мешкає в нашій країні, незалежно від своєї роботи чи професії мають високий поетичний дух, художнє мислення, відданість поезії та мистецтву і часто пишуть вірші в цьому дусі. 236 Закарпатські філологічні студії

Слушно кажуть, що найбільшою місією справжнього поета і художника, як віруючого, є служіння розвитку дружби, спілкування, миру та взаємної любові між народами. Представники гірської єврейської літератури, що мешкають в Азербайджані, звернулись до великого скарбу, щоб гідно впоратися з цією священною місією, і зуміли донести до нового покоління єврейської літератури та поезії те, що вони з любов’ю та повагою дізналися від бага- тої, давньої літературної школи землі, яку вони вивчали. У цьому житті люди живуть вільно і мирно, без війни, без будь-якої дискримінації. Гірська єврейська література, яка є галуззю сучасної азербайджанської літератури, що жила у другому деся- тилітті XXI століття, також у своїх творах відводить широке місце мотивам, що відповідають існуючим історичним умовам. Ключові слова: Азербайджан, гірські євреї, толерантний, сучасний, література, поезія, проза, гуманізм, куль- тура, дружба.

Introduction. Mountain Jews got acquainted with archaic features in the smallest piece of poetry. The Azerbaijani literature, read famous poets of Russian history, language, literature, folklore, theater, dance, and world literature and benefited from their works. and music of Mountain Jews are extremely national The poems of Pushkin and Lermontov touched our in color, as well as a collection of works of art that hearts. Who was not inspired by Nizami, Khagani, have benefited from the local culture of ancient Nasimi, Fuzuli, Vahid ghazals, poems by Vagif, Zakir, Azerbaijan, where they lived and had a close friend- Sabir, Samad Vurgun, Rasul Rza, Mikail Mushfig? ship and brotherhood relations. Fiction is the most understandable, clear and beau- Thanks to the intelligence and skills of Mountain tiful – valuable example of cultural dialogue. In Jews in Azerbaijan, not only the right to life in response to our centuries-old features of hospitality, this country, the formation of brotherhood rela- kindness, humanism (ungrateful, sad, different from tions, but also closely involved in the cultural life the Armenian character), mountain Jews responded of the Azerbaijani people and maintaining its iden- with the same love and affection they always tity, gaining the authority to represent part of its cul- received from the local population in different parts ture. As Master Shahriyar said: of Azerbaijan. They also expressed these feelings in Poet is the voice of people, voice of century, poetry and prose. He is the white-haired commander of the homeland. The mountain Jewish poet Ibrahim Dagli, who Mountain Jews have brought up poets, writers grew up in Oguz, confirms what we said in his book and artists who have created literary and artistic “My Life Memories”. In this preface he makes four examples that have a place and trace in the history, main recommendations to the reader and his children. words and art of the country where they have lived Remembering God first and asking Him for mercy; for centuries. The second is to be sober, patient, and discreet; Special attention should be paid to the work The third desire is to be full, kind and sweet; And of the poet Simakh Sheyda while speaking about the fourth must be able to be grateful. “I am grateful the place, position of the mountain Jews living to all the kind and compassionate people, especially in Azerbaijan in the literature of the XX century, to the people of Azerbaijan, where we have lived the use of the local literary environment. The poet, together, using our land, water, air, traditions, culture, who writes mainly children's poems, attracts atten- educational institutions and other means of life, from tion with his creativity, poems, misconceptions, fairy our ancient grandparents” [1, p. 6]. tales, instructiveness, writing in simple folk language The authors who study the culture, spiritual values, and easy memorization. Simakh Sheyda was born literature and poetry of Mountain Jews, of course, do in Ganja, the land of Nizami. His childhood years it on the basis of historical periods and conditions. were spent in the fertile lands of Ganja, in the bosom They also paid attention to the life and ethnography of the beauties of Goygol, Kapaz and Hajikand. The of Mountain Jews living in Azerbaijan. Ethnographer local people often did not separate S. Sheyda, who IS Anisimov, a mountain Jew by nationality, as knew his mother tongue as well and wrote beautiful a number of travelers and missionaries of the XIX poems in this poetic language, and did not feel that he century, said that the main factor in the preservation was a representative of another nation. of Mountain Jews’ existence was the preservation Simakh Sheyda also addresses the reader in his of “general jewish” traditions no matter how far away book “We are the colors of one carpet” (anthology from their historical homeland, they show that they of the peoples living in Azerbaijan) published by are reflected in literary-artistic examples. Indeed, as the European publishing house in Baku in 2007: we study and read the examples of fiction created I thought that our mountain Jews should read by Mountain Jews in different parts of Azerbaijan Azerbaijani poets in their native languages. Let over the past centuries and before, it is impossible mountain Jews see how rich, meaningful and fluent not to feel the “Jewish identity” that retains so many Azerbaijani literature is” [2, p. 296].

237 Випуск 15. Том 1

As Simakh Sheyda is fluent in Azerbaijani, he life of the country, and managed to create a respected has successfully translated classical and modern elite. For decades, the same elite studied the pearls Azerbaijani poetry into the language of Mountain of Azerbaijan and the culture of the ancient East, read Jews. Nizami's “Sensiz” ghazal, Natavan’s “Garanfil”, and studied with love, and tried to create a great litera- Vagif’s “Durnalar”, “Bayram oldu”, Samad Vurgun’s ture covering a certain period, based on this poetic spirit. “Azerbaijan”, Mikayil Mushfig’s “Love”, Ahmad Indeed, the tolerant attitude to mountain Jews in Jamil's “Jan nene bir nagil de” and others selected Azerbaijan not only revived one nation, but gave poems have really found their value in translation impetus to the emergence of a great literature and cul- and have become the memorization of languages in ture. The poet said: mountain Jews. Oh great gardener of the garden of art, Our classical and modern poetry and literature had Your “Khamsa” is a sun for the literature. a great influence on the artistic creativity of Mountain You have introduced Azerbaijan to the world: Jews living in Azerbaijan. And there is a detailed anal- You have been a father of our poetry, ysis of this in a separate section of the scientific work. Your “Khamsa” is a sun for the literature One of the main points in the study of the literature [5, p. 298]. of mountain Jews living in Azerbaijan in the XX cen- Analysis of recent research and publica- tury is that the representatives of this talented peo- tions. Two well-known national poets of mountain ple living in our country, regardless of their work or Jews in Azerbaijan, member of the Writers’ Union profession, have a high poetic spirit, artistic thinking, of Azerbaijan and Israel, poet, playwright, laure- devotion to poetry and art, and often write poems in ate of the former USSR “Labor Veteran” medal, this spirit. awarded the badge of “Honorary Cultural Worker” Not only did the Azerbaijani language and liter- of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan ature translate into the language of ordinary people, in 2009 – In an interview entitled “I know a poet” the mountain Jews living in this land, but it also had published in the literature newspaper in, we read in a great influence on the artistic samples of writ- an interview with another compatriot, a mountain ers and poets who lived and worked in this area for Jew Eldar Gurshumova: decades. It is no coincidence that Simakh Sheyda, – I have heard that new poems book titled a well-known poet and mountain Jew who has col- “Poet’s Thoughts” will be published soon. What are lected mountain Jews’ literature and folklore, writes the poems in this book about? in the introduction to the anthology: The poems Before answering your question, I would like to of Azerbaijan poets have played a role of school for clarify one issue. In general, mountain Jews poetry is all of use, they called us to look the future life with nourished by Azerbaijani poetry, we are captivated by belief and approach to people with love and to feel its advanced traditions. Great poets such as Khagani, the beauty of the world” [3, p. 297] Nizami, Nasimi, Fuzuli, Vagif, Sabir, Samad Vurgun, Analysis of recent research and publications. Rasul Rza are a great school. Reading their poems Period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic takes a person to the world of dreams, creates new (1918–1920). This period occupies a very important pleasant feelings in the hearts. I am a fan of the poetry place in the history of Azerbaijani Jews. According of Samad Vurgun, Rasul Rza, Mikail Mushfig. It to the law on the establishment of the Azerbaijani would be correct to say that our poets are the fruits parliament, the Jewish National Council has a seat of Azerbaijani poetry. Nizami Ganjavi said beautifully: in the legislature. Jews were given the position The sanctuary of high skies is the love, of ministers, deputy ministers, and other positions Oh world, what is your value without love? in government. The Jewish National Council was If the soul of the creation is without love, recognized as a body of all Jews, and so on. Period Liveliness would not cover all the world [6, p. 5]. of the Azerbaijan SSR (1920–1991). At that time, It is rightly said that the greatest mission of a true the attitude towards Jews was based on the politi- poet and artist, as a believer, is to serve the develop- cal course of the USSR, but the historical tradition ment of friendship, communication, peace and mutual of attitude towards Jews in Azerbaijan was accom- love between nations. Representatives of mountain panied by some positive references” [4, p. 158]. Jews literature living in Azerbaijan turned to a great As the facts show, ethnic groups, especially Jews, treasure to cope with this sacred mission with dig- have always been respected in Azerbaijan, regardless nity, and managed to bring to the new generation of their socio-political structures. Azerbaijani Jews, of Jewish literature and poetry what they learned in turn, managed to value this high attitude, tried to with love and respect from the rich, ancient literary gain an advantage in the economic, socio-cultural school of the land they studied.

238 Закарпатські філологічні студії

Ushvah Ifraim, known for his emotional poetry, Conclusions. Having been the homeland of dif- poems and translations in Hebrew, Azerbaijani ferent cultures, languages and religions for millen- and Cuuri (mountain Jews), which we consider impor- nia, Azerbaijan has historically been a tolerant tant to analyze in his article, is proud to highlight country where many peoples live with mutual the points he has learned as a poet from the literary envi- respect and esteem. That is why, as the Albanian ronment in Azerbaijan, both in his interviews and in historian Moisey Kalankatuklu discovered as his art. The poet's poem dedicated to master Shahriyar, a result of his research, Mountain Jews, who set- as well as the poems he wrote to many famous people tled in the Caucasus in the 1st century (descendants of Azerbaijan, is a great confession that he literally of the Israelites who were deported from Palestine considers himself indebted to this literary school: to Media by the Assyrian and Babylonian rulers), I was born from the language of small peoples, came to Azerbaijan about 15 centuries ago and set- I have read and learned who are you, Shahriyar! tled mainly in the border areas. Although the moun- I have lately known your pains, tain Jews of the past centuries lived as brothers Do you know how I worried, Shahriyar! among the Azerbaijani people, they preserved their [7, p. 152, 153]. national traditions, religions, as well as many words In the book of Elnora Ruvinova titled “Where and expressions of the ancient Hebrew language, the world is heading” which was published in which is almost dying in the world language family. Azerbaijan Press in 2016 in Baku, the young mem- This, of course, was made possible by the respect ber of Azerbaijan Writers Union who is originally and tolerance of the minorities living in a country mountain Jew and has grown up Baku tries to that has been open to intercultural dialogue in all answer to the questions related with the war with ages, as the founder of the independent Azerbaijani the language of prose: state, National Leader Heydar Aliyev said. This has “What is the world? The world is a time without given the basis for the minority peoples living in war. The world is nature, people, animals. The world this country to live and create in peace and security. is a being that we can see, and consider it as the world. “Tolerance is a very broad concept. It means not It is a being that surrounds us. We need to protect only tolerance of religions, but also tolerance of each this world, especially our inner world. The world is other’s customs, morals and cultures. Azerbaijan, the world within you. You create it yourself” [8, p. 107]. as an independent state based on the principles In that life, people live freely and peacefully, of democracy, gives all peoples and nations living without war, without any discrimination. Didn't in its territory the opportunity to freedom, regardless the same picture emerge in the real human society of language, religion, race or political affiliation”. that the great Azerbaijani poet Sheikh Nizami, who Mountain Jews literature, which is a branch of mod- became the ideal poet of almost all mountain Jews ern Azerbaijani literature living in the second decade literature, dreamed of nine centuries ago? Of course, of the XXI century, also gives a wide place in its works “Poems of genius Nizami, Nasimi, Sabir, Samad to the motives corresponding to the existing histori- Vurgun, Mikail Mushfig, Rasul Rza, Abdulla Shaig, cal conditions. In these literary examples, along with Abbas Sahat imitated our souls and instilled in us the natural beauties of Azerbaijan, the epics of courage, a love for humanity,” said the famous representative the realities of the occupation and genocide, longing of mountain Jews literature. Not only the poetic spirit, for the homeland, love of land, which fell at the end but also the language of poets like Simakh Sheyda, of the twentieth century, are the main carriers of ideas who never gave up, is mixed with our language. By analyzing the artistic creativity of the mountain And by the way, it is extremely important and nec- Jews who have taken part in domestic and foreign essary to protect this language from influences over political and social life of Azerbaijan in the period time, to enrich it with new words and expressions. of independence and have been able to be the friend Like the once extinct Hebrew language, the language of good and difficult days, I have presented the cre- of Mountain Jews needs such saviors”. Of course, ativity of separate writers and poets who reflected this will be the task of the new generation of writers. the brotherhood and friendship in this literature... REFERENCES: 1. “Life memories” Baku-Shirvan Press, 2007, 270 p. 2. “We are the colors of one carpet”... Literature anthology of peoples living in Azerbaijan. “Avropa” Press, Baku: 2007, 296 p. 3. “Literature anthology of the minorities living in Azerbaijan”, “Avropa” Press, Baku: 2007, 297 p. 4. Shukurov Karim Karam “Azerbaijan History” (Text in 3 parts) Baku: 2006, 158 p. 5. “The Stars if mountain Jews” (Anthology) Israel: 2009, 398 p.

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6. Literature newspaper. Baku: July 10, 2009, p. 5 7. Ushvan Ifraim “Jadval Shindler” Azerbaijan Press: 2011, p. 152, 153 8. “Where the world is heading” Elnora Ruvinova. Azerbaijan Press, Baku: 2016, p. 107.

UDC 398:801.6; 398:82.0; 801.8 DOI https://doi.org/10.32782/tps2663-4880/2021.15.45

THE PLACE OF ASHIG AGHALAR MIKAYILOV IN ORAL FOLK LITERATURE

МІСЦЕ АШИГА АГАЛАРА МІКАЙЛОВА В УСНІЙ НАРОДНІЙ ЛІТЕРАТУРІ

Askarova Sadagat, orcid.org/0000-0001-8141-7980 Postgraduate Student National Museum of Azerbaijan Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi

Poems of Ashig have been published in various collections and media outlets. Ashig Aghalar knew more than 20 eposes. He was skillfully using these eposes at the wedding ceremonies. Like his father Bilal, he was loving his homeland, his compatriots with deepest affection. “It is a homeland” poem by the Ashig is a clear example of his endless love towards his homeland. It should be noted that Shirvan is rich with tales, bayatis, proverbs, anecdotes. This is Shirvan Ashig art, which is one of the largest branches of folklore and distinguished by its special place, weight, features. Shirvan Ashig art is valuable school. This school is rooted in folk art. Professor, Ph.D. S. Ganiyev, who regularly works upon the study of Shirvan folklore and publications thereof, said that the State of Shirvanshahs played decisive part in making Shirvan Ashig art to get particular regional recognition. As the music repertoire traditions of Shirvan strongly resemble the khananda style in the manner of singing and playing, it very much differs from Ashig repertoire. However, the music repertoire of Shirvan Ashigs includes classical saz songs (literally “airs”) belonging to Azerbaijan Ashig art. Ashig Aghalar also tried his hand at ghazal genre, the most well-favoured example of our classical poetry among the people. Although his ghazals seem to have an old style of poetry, the meaning and content are modern and resonate with the times. The style of expression and the description of beauty in these lines is as simple, vivid, natural, and also artistic as the spoken language. Writing and creating in most forms of folklore poetry, Ashig had also written a large number of poems in goshma, gerayli, tajnis, deyishme, ghazal, bayati, mukhammas genres. Many of these poems were voiced at the wedding ceremonies and celebrations, as well as published in various media outlets, almanacs and books dedicated to Ashigs. Literary scholar Professor Rafael Huseynov made video reportages about the memories of Ashig Aghalar Mikayilov, his life and creativity path, his father Mirza Bilal and other saz masters in the program “Evening Meetings” of the Azerbaijan National Radio in different years. At the same time, the life and various periods of the work of Ashig Aghalar were analyzed in the articles of Professor A. Jafarzade, Professor Gara Namazov, R.Huseynov, Candidate of Philological Sciences E. Mammadli and others. Key words: clear example, folklore, forefront, classical poetry, master artist. Вірші Ашига публікувались у різних збірниках та ЗМІ. Ашіг Агалар знав більше 20 епосів. Він майстерно викорис- товував ці риси на весільних церемоніях. Як і його батько Білал, він любив свою батьківщину, своїх співвітчизників з найглибшою прихильністю. Вірш Ашига «Це батьківщина» – яскравий приклад його нескінченної любові до своєї батьківщини. Слід зазначити, що Ширван багатий казками, баяті, прислів’ями, анекдотами. Це мистецтво Ширвана Ашіга, яке є однією з найбільших галузей фольклору та вирізняється своїм особливим місцем, вагою, особливос- тями. Мистецтво Ширвана Ашига – цінна школа. Ця школа сягає корінням у народну творчість. Професор, к.е.н. С. Ганієв, який регулярно працює над вивченням фольклору Ширвана та його публікацій, зазначив, що держава Шир- ваншахів відіграла вирішальну роль у створенні мистецтва Ширван Ашіг для отримання особливого регіонального визнання. Оскільки музично-репертуарні традиції Ширвана сильно нагадують стиль хананда у манері співу та гри, він дуже відрізняється від репертуару Ашіга. Однак музичний репертуар Ширвана Ашіґса включає класичні сазові пісні (буквально «ефіри»), що належать до азигського мистецтва Азербайджану. Ашіг Агалар також спробував свої сили в жанрі газелі, найбільш улюбленому прикладі нашої класичної поезії серед людей. Хоча у його газзалів, схоже, є давній стиль поезії, значення та зміст сучасні і перегукуються з часом. Стиль висловлювання та опис краси в цих рядках такий же простий, яскравий, природний, а також художній, як і розмовна мова. Пишучи та творячи для біль- шості форм фольклорної поезії, Ашіг також написав велику кількість віршів у жанрах гошма, герайлі, таджніс, дей- шіме, газаль, баяті, мухаммаси. Багато з цих віршів озвучувались на весільних церемоніях та святкуваннях, а також публікувались у різних ЗМІ, альманахах та книгах, присвячених Ашигам. Вчений-літературознавець, професор Рафаель Гусейнов, у різні роки в програмі «Вечірні зустрічі» Азербайджанського національного радіо зробив віде- орепортажі про спогади Ашіга Агалара Мікайлова, його життєвий шлях і шлях творчості, його батька Мірзу Білала та інших майстрів сазу. Водночас життя та різні періоди творчості Ашига Агалара аналізувались у статтях профе- сора А. Джафарзаде, професора Гари Намазова, Р. Гусейнова, кандидата філологічних наук Е. Мамедлі та інших. Ключові слова: наочний приклад, фольклор, передній план, класична поезія, майстер-художник. 240